For the first time in Nelson Mandela Bay since 2019, the IRONKIDS competition returns for its 20th-anniversary weekend of the Isuzu IRONMAN South Africa African Championship on Friday, March 28.
IRONKIDS South Africa gives children aged 3-15 years the opportunity to complete a running-only event under the iconic IRONMAN arch on the red carpet. With distances starting from 500 metres up to 1.5 km, available depending on the age category, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The 20th-anniversary edition of the ISUZU IRONMAN African Championship will celebrate the event weekend by reverting to its original format. On Sunday, March 30, the spotlight will shine solely on the IRONMAN athletes as they tackle the renowned course, consisting of a 3.8 km swim, a 180.2 km bike ride, and a 42.2 km run.
The 20th-anniversary edition of the ISUZU IRONMAN African Championship will celebrate the event weekend by reverting to its original format. On Sunday, March 30, the spotlight will shine solely on the IRONMAN athletes as they tackle the renowned course, consisting of a 3.8km swim, a 180.2km bike ride, and a 42.2km run.
The ISUZU 5150 Nelson Mandela Bay triathlon, consisting of a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run, which previously took place as its own event, will merge with this year’s IRONMAN competition.
The event will be more inclusive, offering something for everyone and athletes of all levels, while giving friends, families, and children of the IRONMAN athletes and the Nelson Mandela Bay community an opportunity to be part of the weekend and achieve their own moment of glory on the IRONMAN red carpet.
It was in 2005 that the first group of athletes lined up on Hobie Beach to take on the first IRONMAN South Africa in Nelson Mandela Bay, setting in motion a movement that has seen thousands of athletes from around South Africa and the world achieve something extraordinary on the shores of the Bay.
Nelson Mandela Bay has been the platform for the emergence of homegrown professional IRONMAN champions such as Raynard Tissink, Kyle Buckingham, and James Cunnama, alongside local athletes who became age group world champions, such as Michelle Enslin and Alec Riddle. Alec’s son, Jamie, a former ISUZU Corporate Triathlon Challenge winner, will be representing South Africa in triathlon at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this year.
Known for its challenging course and the fantastic Nelson Mandela Bay supporters, the race has also attracted some of the sport’s biggest stars and world champions over the years, including Chrissie Wellington, Natascha Badmann, Frederik Van Lierde, Lucy Charles-Barclay, and others.
IRONMAN South Africa Operations Director, Michele Bronkhorst, said, “It has been incredible to see this event grow to become what it is today and the impact it has had on Nelson Mandela Bay and the South African triathlon scene. Today, this city is known as the IRONMAN city of Africa, having been home to the only IRONMAN on the African continent. We are excited to stage an unforgettable event for our athletes and the city next year to mark 20 years in Nelson Mandela Bay.”
